Does the Belt and Road Initiative Cause Conflicts?

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative is China’s premier foreign policy initiative. As a result, every aspect of the initiative should be investigated for the potential consequences it may have. Due to our undeveloped understanding of the BRI’s likelihood of causing conflict, this work analyzes 9 countries across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe to determine how the BRI may cause conflict. Likely due to concerns being addressed before they escalate, this research does not find evidence of conflict amongst its cases.